Amazon hooks Next for Click and Collect offering

Amazon has teamed up with Next for the UK launch of Counter, which enables the e-commerce giant’s customers to pick up orders via a network of partner retailers.

The service, which works with one-day and standard shipping and is available at no extra cost to Prime members, is also being rolled out in Italy, with Giunti, Fermopoint and SisalPay onboard.

"We've used technology to enhance and redesign the Click and Collect experience," says Patrick Supanc, Amazon Director of Lockers and Pickup. "We're excited for customers to experience this service at one of the thousands of stores now available for Counter, but we're not stopping there. We're now actively looking to bring even more partners onboard across Europe — from family-run corner shops to retail chains — businesses of all sizes can take advantage of the opportunity as we expand the Counter network for customers."

Lord Wolfson, CEO at Next, comments: "The ability to collect Amazon parcels from hundreds of our UK stores provides a helpful and exciting new service for UK consumers. Amazon Counter combines the internet's power to offer unprecedented choice with all the convenience of local stores. In a tough retail environment our aim is that this will contribute to the continued relevance and vibrancy of our stores."